Pakistan needs to do more to wipe out terrorism: US
What's the story
Pakistan has to do a lot more to wipe out terrorism from inside its territory, and it needs to launch a crackdown not just on the Taliban but also on other terror networks, the US has said. US Vice President Mike Pence met Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi last Friday, and the two leaders discussed the South Asia strategy.
South Asia Policy
Trump asks Pakistan to take greater responsibility on fighting terrorism
In his new South Asia Policy in August, President Donald Trump had called for tougher measure against Pakistan if it fails to cooperate with the US in its fight against terrorism. "We have certainly seen Pakistan take some positive steps in the right direction, but a lot more needs to be done," said State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert.
Terror networks
Pakistan also needs to fight Haqqani network, other terror networks
"A lot more needs to be done, in terms of Pakistan cracking down not just on the Taliban but the Haqqani network and other terror networks as well," Nauert said on Pakistan satisfying the conditions the US laid out to unfreeze the aid. Pakistan claims to have killed hundreds of Taliban militants in military operations in the last two years.
Details
US looks forward to Pakistan's assistance in Afghan peace talks
Adding that the Pakistani Government has to do more to address the continued presence of terrorism, Nauert said, "They can also play a critical role with the Taliban and getting the Taliban to come to the table in Pakistan." She noted that the US looks forward to Pakistan's assistance in Afghan peace talks and a greater role in stabilizing the South Asian region.